1. They were children of God. (Neh 2.20) God uses believers to carry out His work.
2. They were in unity among themselves as well as with Nehemiah about the specific task to be accomplished. One group was not pulling one way and another pulling in a different direction. (Neh 2.18)
3. They were submitted to the godly leadership placed in their life. (Neh 2.18) You do not see them telling Nehemiah what he should do, nor how he should do it. No critics, no one thought they could do it better, just those who said "let's do it". We need some who instead of opposing and second guessing the man of God, just says "let's do it".(Neh 2.18)
4. They believed with the Lord's help they could!. They had no reason to believe in themselves other than God. They were in great affliction, a reproach to their adversaries, none had built a wall before, but they believed they could accomplish the task God had burdened Nehemiah's heart about. We need some "can do" servants of God who believe with the Lord's help we can. (Neh 2.18)
5. They prepared themselves for the work. (Neh 2.18, 4.6) It appears they prepared both physically and mentally. Both are necessary if the work of the Lord is to be successful, especially mental preparation. Many servants of God who appear to have it together outwardly fail because they are not mentally prepared.
6. They were willing to attempt the unfamiliar. (Neh 3.1,8,9,17,22) We see priests, goldsmiths, apothecaries, and Levites building the wall. Most likely they had never attempted anything like this before. But still they were willing to try, and do the best they could.
7. They refused to allow those who wouldn't work to hinder them! (Neh 3.5) So many times the slothful or unwilling can destroy the attitude, and zeal of willing saints. We must refuse to allow the work ethic of others to affect us. We must look to Jesus and not at the slothful.
8. They worked in unity with one another. (Neh 3) Repeatedly in chapter 3 we see the phrase "next unto him". They worked side by side effectively. It's important for the saints to learn to work together. Many cannot! It has to be their way, or their idea or the job they want to do or there will be problems. These saints are limited to what they can do.
9. They refused to quit until the job was finished. (Neh 4.11-18) Intimidation, fear, problems between themselves, their families in danger, nothing would stop them until the job was completed.
10. They were family motivated. (Neh 4.14) Nehemiah challenged them to fight for their families, and they did so. We need some Christians who are willing to engage the enemy for the sakes of their wives, and sons and daughters. I understand our first motivation ought to be for the glory of God, but if the spiritual well-being of our children will not move us to battle our spiritual adversaries what will? They were willing to fight to keep their family safe.
11. They were willing to be inconvenienced. (Neh 4.22-23) They camped out in Jerusalem, and only changed clothes so they could be washed. It was difficult living, but necessary if the wall was to be completed. We live in a day of convenient Christianity. If it is convenient for our life we will serve God, but if not we refuse to. God's people must realize that we cannot accomplish very much for the Lord without being inconvenienced at time.

May the Lord help us to be a people He can count on to labor for Him in His work.